March

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORT FOR THE MEETING IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL.

ON THE 30TH MARCH 2006 AT 7.30PM

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Neil Johnson, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, David Evans, Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton, Pat Findlater, Hazel Al-Kowarri, Eric Pashley, Paul Smart, Annie Ferries and Janet Newberry.

Attending:
Alan Davies, lnsp. Dave Allan, PC Alec Allen.

1. Welcome
Chris welcomed members of the Community Council, in particular new members present.

2. Apologies for absence:
Alexandra Burnett, Ian Wakley, Cllr Alister Leitch and Cllr Gurudeo Saluja

3. Election of Office Bearers
the following were all proposed, seconded and elected ‘nem con' by the Council:

• Chairman: Chris Hunneyball
• Vice Chairman: Bill Blackwood
• Treasurer: Hazel Al-Kowarri,
• Secretary: Neil Johnson
• Planning Scrutiniser: David Evans
• Community Safety Group Representative: Pat Findlater
• Community Learning and Development Representative: Jim Piggins
• Community Council Forum Representative: Mavis Wainman
• Village Hall Committee: Chris Hunneyball.

4. Police Matters:
lnsp Allan paid tribute to the hard work being done by PC Alec Allan in becoming fully involved in community policing. To the extent that, for example, the detection rate for vandalism in the village is at 34% and rising. This compares well with the rest of South Aberdeenshire at 14% and falling. As PC Allen gets to know the area further, he anticipated that these figures would continue to improve. Allen reinforced the message that he would only be successful if people continued to talk to him about what is going on in the village.

5. Minute of Meeting held on 23rd February 2005
were approved: Adoption Proposed Jim
Seconded Susan

6. Question Time
Opportunity for Members of Public to speak
Alan Davies raised the issue of litter throughout Aberdeenshire. In particular the state of roadwaysand footpaths was disgraceful. He had already written to Aberdeenshire Council about this and asked for support. Chris will write on this mailer to our councillors.

7. Matters arising from Minute:
a) Bus Timetable - The new timetable will be in place in April and after considerable correspondence with Stagecoach and Aberdeenshire Council, almost all buses will now be direct.

b) Mini Motos on the river path - the Police have now confirmed that they are in a position to deal with offenders off road once Aberdeenshire Council have nominated the official who should be named' on any charges. This is in hand.

8. Planning Applications:
All were domestic extensions and mainly not contentious. The only one which had raised any concerns was already subject to an objection.

9. Report from Safety Group Representative
Pat outlined the activities of the Garioch & North Marr Safety Partnership. Since the last meeting they had held their annual seminar, distributed RoSPA booklets at 4 schools (including Kemnay Academy and Primary), issued Hi-Vis vests to a youth group in Westhill and were involved in tackling fly-tipping and the safe disposal S domestic appliances.

10. Report from Community Learning and Development Representative
Jim raised the possibility that the Youth Café will now be liable for heating costs and business rates for the Youth Café. The consensus of the meeting was that this would discourage use and we should write to Aberdeenshire Council supporting the position that such charges should be rescinded. Mavis described the ‘People's Millions' program which she had suggested to the steering committee as a possible source of funding.

11. Garioch Area Community Council Forum
Chris outlined the new waste collection arrangements which would come into force in May. One wheelie bin collection per fortnight, with an intervening collection of boxed recyclables. Annie explained that a similar service had already begun in rural areas - although a weekly wheelie-bin collection was still underway. Alan Davies raised the issue of disposable nappies and the huge contribution to landfill these made. Paul said that a pressure group was in existence on this topic and that alternatives are being pursued by several groups. The Garioch Area Partnership is developing a new, interactive website aimed at young people. The Forum is continuing to push Aberdeenshire Council on the maintenance of communal areas in newer developments. The involvement of Community Councils in Area Committees is under review.

12. New Business
a) Landscaping on Bremner way/Aquithie Road junction - The provision of a raised bed with a Christmas tree socket and bench was discussed. We have also been asked for other landscaping ideas and these will be discussed at the next meeting.

13. Unfinished Business
a) Swimming Pool - Jim mentioned that ACM of the Swimming pool group is on 6th April in the Village Hall at 730pm to continue to apply pressure for this provision. Janet has raised this as a possible add-on for the extension to the Academy.

b) Bogbeth toilets - The cricket club are in the process of having a reinforced door made to secure the old toilet block.

c) Kirklands to Glebe road path - suggestions for this and a new path between Station Road alongside Littlewood Court were agreed and would be passed on to Bob Rose.

d) Victoria Terrace double yellow lines - these are in the process of being installed.

14. AOCB
Aberdeenshire Council will be asked to extend provision of the village orderly outwith the summer holidays. Chris had been approached by Mr. Souter about possible storage and help with Christmas lights. Eric suggested that rather than lights on lamp posts we should look to provide Christmas trees at the Carrier and at the site of the flower bed on Aquithie Road/Bremner Way junction and it was agreed this would be a good first1etep.

Date of next meeting
Thursday 27th April 2006

Members of the public are welcome to attend